The 10 Priciest States To Be a Renter Right Now
Rent prices these days are no joke — especially if you’re living in one of the country’s priciest states. Think California, where a tiny apartment can cost a small fortune, or Hawaii, where paradise comes with sky-high price tags. Even more underrated states like Maryland, New Jersey, and Colorado aren’t far behind, with bustling cities and tight housing markets pushing prices through the roof. If you’ve ever tried apartment-hunting in cities like San Francisco or New York City, you know the defeat that comes from shelling out half your paycheck just to keep a roof over your head. The struggle is real.
According to Rent Cafe, the average American pays $1,751 a month for a 902-square-foot apartment. So how does your state compare? Here are the top 10 most expensive states for renters based on Doxo’s Household Bill Report from 2024.
1. Hawaii
Median rent: $1,983
Taking the crown for having the most expensive rent in the U.S. is, unsurprisingly, the Aloha State. With limited land, strict zoning laws, and endless demand (who wouldn’t want to live in paradise?), Hawaii’s housing market stays fiercely competitive.
2. California
Median rent: $1,927
Unless you’re okay with paying $20 for a smoothie (not even exaggerating), you’ll want to stay away from California. Known as one of the leading tech hubs in the world, the Golden State’s booming job market and sun-drenched coastlines come with a brutal trade-off: Sky-high rent prices, a limited housing supply, and ridiculously high taxes on just about everything.
3. Massachusetts
Median rent: $1,684
Between your Ivy League students, young professionals, and blue-collar workers all competing to live in the Boston area, it’s no surprise that Massachusetts came in third place for having the steepest rent. Though pricey, the food is absolutely top-notch.
4. New York
Median rent: $1,636
New York’s rent prices are influenced by the state’s large metropolitan areas, including New York City, where high demand and limited availability keeps prices inflated. The Big Apple’s robust job market also plays a role in these sky-high rent costs.
5. New Jersey
Median rent: $1,629
The Garden State’s high rent prices stem from its proximity to major cities like New York and Philadelphia, where many professionals commute to and from work each day. Popular school districts in suburban areas also add to the competition.
6. Washington
Median rent: $1,620
Washington’s rent is driven by booming tech hubs like Seattle and Bellevue, where companies like Amazon and Microsoft have drawn a flood of high-earning workers. This influx has outpaced new housing construction, particularly for affordable rentals.
7. Maryland
Median rent: $1,603
As a commuter haven for Washington D.C., Maryland’s rental market is one of the most competitive in the country. High demand from government workers, contractors, and healthcare professionals means affordable rentals are hard to come by. Wealthy suburbs like Bethesda and Silver Spring also drive up prices as renters compete for access to the best schools.
8. Colorado
Median rent: $1,580
Colorado’s natural beauty and fast-growing cities like Denver and Boulder have attracted both newcomers and remote workers in droves (as someone who lives in the Mile High City, I can indeed confirm). As population growth continues to surge over the last few years, housing construction has struggled to keep pace, especially in terms of affordable rental units.
9. Virginia
Median rent: $1,497
Virginia’s proximity to Washington, D.C., coupled with its own tech and defense industries, has created sustained demand for housing. Even in less urban parts of the state, rising costs of living and population growth have raised overall rent prices.
10. Florida
Median rent: $1,474
Florida’s warm climate, low taxes, and appeal to retirees and remote workers have made it one of the most popular states in the country. Cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando have also seen huge population spikes, which add to the rental market’s strain.
Which Cities Are the Most Expensive?
Now that we’ve covered the most expensive states, let’s zoom in on the cities driving those costs. According to an analysis by Construction Coverage using data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, the following 10 cities faced the most expensive rental markets. And lo and behold, California hogged half the list:
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Median Rent: $3,811 - San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Median Rent: $3,228 - San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Median Rent: $3,183 - Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Median Rent: $2,848 - Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Median Rent: $2,812 - Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Median Rent: $2,733 - Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Median Rent: $2,724 - New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Median Rent: $2,628 - Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Median Rent: $2,554 - Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Median Rent: $2,538